Solid waste removal

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method for dropping solid waste into a waste bin in an automated analyzer, and an automated analyzer with a transport mechanism for transporting solid waste to a waste bin.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to removal of used solid waste within anautomated analyzer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automated analyzers use different types of consumables, e.g. multiwellplates, tip racks, reagent cassettes, and/or other types of solidcontainers to perform an automated analytical assay. Once the assaysteps for which a consumable or container is needed has been performedand the consumable or container is no longer needed, it is commonlytransported to a waste compartment or waste bin as solid waste. Thesolid waste is accumulated in the waste compartment or waste bin. Whenthe compartment or waste bin is full, the operator has to empty thecompartment or remove the waste bin and either replace it with an emptywaste bin or empty the waste bin and place it back in the analyzer. Thewaste capacity often dictates the maximum number of tests the analyzercan perform before the waste is removed.

In U.S.20130065797, the filling level of a waste bin is monitored usinga camera. The solid waste bin can be opened each time the waste bindrawer is emptied.

The present invention provides for a new method, analyzer and systemwhich improve the waste capacity of an automated analyzer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for dropping solid waste intoa waste bin in an automated analyzer. The method comprises providing atransport mechanism for transporting said solid waste to said waste bin.The transport mechanism comprises a sliding mechanism with a slider,said slider being configured to push the solid waste into the waste bin.The sliding mechanism further comprises at its end a ramp, wherein saidramp is extendable over and into the waste bin and at least partlyflexible. The method further comprises placing a solid waste into aparking position associated with the transport mechanism, wherein saidparking position is located between the slider and an opening of thetransport mechanism, said opening of the transport mechanism being inproximity to the waste bin. Further, the method comprises pushing saidsolid waste towards the waste bin along the extendable ramp with saidslider until said solid waste glides on the extendable ramp into thewaste bin.

The present invention also relates to an automated analyzer comprising awaste bin, said waste bin being configured to receive solid waste,wherein said analyzer comprises a transport mechanism for transportingsaid solid waste to said waste bin, said transport mechanism comprisinga sliding mechanism with a slider, said slider being configured to pushthe solid waste into the waste bin, said sliding mechanism furthercomprising at its end a ramp, wherein said ramp is extendable over andinto the waste bin and at least partly flexible. The present inventionalso relates to a system comprising an automated analyzer as describedherein and a computer controller. The computer controller is configuredto push solid waste into the waste bin and to sense if a solid waste ispresent on top of a pile and to push said solid waste into anotherlocation of the waste bin. The computer controller is further configuredto issue a warning message to a screen when solid waste on top of a pilecannot be moved to a different location within the waste bin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary transport mechanism for transporting solidwaste into a waste bin.

FIG. 2 shows a transport mechanism with the extended ramp.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show different stages of filling of solid waste inthe waste bin.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show two embodiments of a system of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used inconnection with the present invention shall have the meanings that arecommonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further,unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall includepluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. The articles“a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e.,to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way ofexample, “an element” means one element or more than one element.

The present invention relates to a method for dropping solid waste intoa waste bin in an automated analyzer. The method comprises providing atransport mechanism for transporting said solid waste to said waste bin.The transport mechanism comprises a sliding mechanism with a slider,said slider being configured to push the solid waste into the waste bin.The sliding mechanism further comprises at its end a ramp, wherein saidramp is extendable over and into the waste bin and at least partlyflexible. The method further comprises placing a solid waste into aparking position associated with the transport mechanism, wherein saidparking position is located between the slider and an opening of thetransport mechanism, said opening of the transport mechanism being inproximity to the waste bin. Further, the method comprises pushing saidsolid waste towards the waste bin along the extendable ramp with saidslider until said solid waste glides on the extendable ramp into thewaste bin.

In one embodiment, the ramp is extendable along a bent curve over andinto the waste bin and the ramp is at least partly made of a flexiblematerial.

The term “solid waste” relates to solid parts used in an analyticalsystem or apparatus which, after use, have to be removed from theautomated analyzer. In one specific embodiment, solid waste comprisesconsumables. It is understood that the term “consumables” as used hereinonly refers to solid consumables and not to other types of matter usedin an analytical device, such as reagents. Such consumables may include,without limitation, pipette tip racks comprising used pipette tips, usedsingle tubes, used multiwell plates, used reagent cassettes etc. Whilesome consumables may be used only once in the automated analyzer andthen have to be removed, others may be used multiple times before theyare used up and have to be removed from the automated analyzer. Removalof such solid waste is effected by dropping the solid waste in a wastebin.

The term “automated analyzer” as used herein refers to any kind ofautomated or semi-automated device for use in laboratory work in theclinical, chemical, biological, immunology or pharmaceutical area or thelike. Such a laboratory device may comprise, amongst other things, atleast one of an analytical instrument (such as clinical chemistryanalyzers, coagulation chemistry analyzers, immunochemistry analyzers,urine analyzers), a transfer device (such as a conveyor, gripper,magnetic transfer surface), a storage unit, a liquid processing unit(such as a pipetting unit), a processor (such as a sample preparationdevice), a user interface, a mixing unit (such as a stirrer; a shaker oran agitator), a tempering device (such as a heater/cooler), a wastestation, an aliquoter, a data management system, laboratory informationsystem (LIS) or the like.

The term “transport mechanism” as used herein relates to any transportmechanism that is suitable to transport a solid waste into a waste bin.The transport mechanism comprises a sliding mechanism with a slider. Thetransport mechanism may also comprise other transport devices, such asgrippers or conveyors, to transport the solid waste from the location ofits last use to the sliding mechanism.

The term “sliding mechanism” as used herein relates to a mechanism whichcomprises a slider. The sliding mechanism allows the solid waste toslide into the waste bin. The sliding mechanism further comprises at itsend a ramp. The ramp is extendable over and into the waste bin and atleast partly flexible. Thus, when a solid waste is pushed onto the ramp,the ramp bends downwards and allows the solid waste to glide into thewaste been located underneath the ramp.

The term “slider” relates to a device which is configured to push thesolid waste in the direction of the waste bin.

The term “ramp” as used herein relates to the end part of the slidingmechanism. The ramp is partly flexible. When a solid waste, such as atip rack or a multiwell plate, is pushed onto the ramp by the slider,the ramp bends downwards and allows the solid waste to glide into thewaste bin located underneath the ramp.

The term “extendable” as used herein means that the ramp is capable toextend over and into the waste bin. Thus, the ramp does not have to bepermanently in such an extended position. It may move between a positionwhere it does not extend over and into the waste bin and a positionwhich extends over and into the waste bin. Such a position may be takenwhen either no solid waste needs to be dropped into the waste bin, orwhen the waste bin has to be removed for emptying. When a solid wastehas to be dropped into the waste bin and is pushed onto the ramp, theramp may then move from the position where it does not extend over andinto the waste bin to the position which extends over and into the wastebin. In this position, the ramp, then, bends downwards and allows thesolid waste to glide into the waste bin. The ramp may also take theposition which extends over and into the waste bin to detect if thewaste bin is filled or if there is still space in the waste bin forfurther solid waste. Thus, in one embodiment, when the ramp is extendedover the bin, the partly flexible ramp is sliding along a bent curve,allowing the ramp to move over and into the waste bin without contactingthe waste bin. As the consumable is pushed onto the ramp, the ramp movesforward and bends, allowing the consumable to glide into the waste bin.

The term “at least partly flexible” as used herein relates to a propertyof the ramp. The property is due to the material of the ramp. Anymaterial that allows the ramp to extend over and into the waste bin froma position over the waste bin, even if no solid waste is located on theramp, is suitable. Such materials may include thermoplastic materials,and as specific non-limiting examples, Polyoxymethylene (POM) orPolyethylene (PE).

The term “parking position” as used herein relates to a positionassociated with the transport mechanism. The parking position is on theside of the slider which is proximal to the waste bin. The solid wasteto be transported to the waste bin is placed on the parking position.

The term “opening” as used herein relates to an opening in the transportmechanism on the side where the waste bin is located that allows thesolid waste to be pushed to the ramp, to move through this opening andto glide over the ramp into the waste bin.

The term “proximity” as used herein relates to the location of theopening in the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism has to beopen on the side which is in proximity to the waste bin such that theramp is capable to extend over and into the waste bin and the solidwaste can glide down the ramp into the waste bin.

The term “glide” as used herein relates to the movement of the solidwaste when it moves over the ramp. When the solid waste reaches the endof the ramp, it will drop into the waste bin.

The advantage of such a method of dropping solid waste into a waste binin an automated analyzer is that solid waste can be distributed betterin the waste bin. This increases the capacity of the waste bin. The moresolid waste the waste bin can take up, the longer it takes until it hasto be removed and emptied. This significantly influences the walk-awaytime for the automated analyzer. If the analyzer is set to runcontinuously, the walkaway time is governed by the time it takes to usethe unused consumables loaded on the automated analyzer, or the time ittakes for the waste bin to be full, or the time until reagents are usedup. If the automated analyzer is designed to take up a sufficient amountof new, unused consumables and reagents, then, a premature requirementto empty the waste bin due to inefficient filling of the waste bin cansignificantly impair the maximum walk-away time as originally designedby the capacity to load empty consumables and reagents. This can beavoided with the automated analyzer according to the present invention.Another advantage is that the extendable ramp of the present inventionis integrated into a sliding mechanism and thereby ensures that thesolid waste is pushed into the waste bin.

In one embodiment, a solid waste is loaded into the parking position.The slider is positioned on the side of the solid waste which opposesthe side proximal to the opening. In one specific embodiment, the slideris attached to a conveyor belt and executes a horizontal movement towarda defined end position. Thus, the slider is moved by the conveyor belt.In a more specific embodiment, the end position is close to or at theopening of the transport mechanism.

In one embodiment, the ramp is coupled to the conveyor belt. In aspecific embodiment, the movement of the ramp is synchronous to themovement of the slider. In a more specific embodiment, the ramp ismoving along a bent curve, allowing the shaft to move into the waste binlocated underneath the extended ramp.

In one specific embodiment, the waste bin is located in a waste drawer.The operator can open the waste drawer to add or remove the waste bin.As the ramp of the present invention moves into and out of the waste binin a contactless manner, no additional weight occurs for the wastedrawer. This makes it easier to open and close the waste drawer, andreduces wear of the waste drawer. The term “contactless” as used hereinis understood to mean that the extendable ramp moves into and out of thewaste bin without contacting the waste bin.

In one specific embodiment, the solid waste container of the methoddescribed herein comprises a solid waste bag. In one embodiment, itcomprises more than one solid waste bag. A further advantage is that thepresent invention reduces the kinetic and potential energy of solidwaste which leads to a reduced stress of the solid waste bags and,hence, less perforation of the solid waste bags occurs. Furthermore, theramp described herein guides consumables holding pipette tips, such astip racks, into the waste bin which leads to significantly less tipsdropping out of the containers and, consequently, lower requirements forsolid waste bags regarding perforation resistance. In one embodiment,said extendable ramp is configured as a tactile sensor for detectingjammed solid waste along a sliding path.

The term “tactile sensor” as used herein relates to the ability of theramp to sense a solid item by touching it. Thus, the ramp can detect thefill level of the waste bin by sensing whether it touches somethingsolid (i.e. a solid waste) or not. If it touches a solid waste, thismeans that the waste bin has a certain fill level. If it does not touchanything solid, this means that there is still enough space in the wastebin for further solid waste. The tactile sensor also allows to detectjammed solid waste.

The term “jammed solid waste” as used herein relates to solid waste,e.g. in specific embodiments consumables, which have become stuck in thewaste bin and prevent the waste bin from taking up more solid wastealthough there would still be space in it. In one embodiment, jammedsolid waste may be the result of random piles being formed by droppedsolid waste. E.g. tip racks may form piles when dropping in the wastebin. Such piles may build up until the top end of the waste bin isreached. The waste bin then cannot take up more solid waste since thetransport mechanism would be blocked and additional solid waste would beprevented from gliding into the waste bin.

The term “sliding path” as used herein relates to the path that a solidwaste takes when being transported into the waste bin. The sliding path,thus, describes the path of the sliding mechanism.

The term “detecting jammed solid waste” as used herein is understood tomean that when the ramp touches jammed solid waste, this is translatedinto a signal which is provided to the automated analyzer.

In a specific embodiment, said extendable ramp is configured to movesolid waste present on top of a pile inside the waste bin to anotherlocation inside the waste bin. This leads to a better distribution ofthe solid waste.

As mentioned hereinbefore, it was observed that solid waste can build uppiles in a waste bin. Such buildups are also referred to as jammed solidwaste. The solid waste present on top of the piles can be moved by theextendable ramp. When it is moved, it is moved to another, still emptylocation of the waste bin. This results in a better distribution of thesolid waste in the waste bin. More solid waste can be filled into thewaste bin until the solid waste in the bin reaches the upper end of thewaste bin, and the waste bin has to be removed by the operator andemptied.

In one specific embodiment, the extendable ramp is configured to detectjammed solid waste. In a more specific embodiment, the extendable rampis configured to detect jammed solid waste which cannot be moved to adifferent location within the waste bin. This permits a betterdistribution of the solid waste in the waste bin.

In an even more specific embodiment, the automated analyzer additionallycomprises a sensor system functionally coupled to said ramp andconfigured to monitor the level of piled solid waste inside the wastebin.

The extendable ramp is able to detect the level of solid waste morereliably than an optical sensor. This is due to the ramp sliding alongthe dropping zone of the solid waste, hence any piled solid waste willbe detected.

In one embodiment, the sensor system for detecting the level of solidwaste in the waste bin comprises detection of motor current of the rampdrive.

In a further specific embodiment, said automated analyzer comprises acomputer controller and a screen, wherein said computer controller isconfigured to issue a warning message when solid waste on top of a pilecannot be moved to a different location within the waste bin.

The term “a computer controller” as used herein relates to a computercontroller associated with the automated analyzer or the systemcomprising the automated analyzer.

The term “a warning message” as used herein relates to a messagedisplayed by the computer controller on a screen, or an indicator (e.g.a light or a visual message or a voice message) being activated to warnthe operator that the waste bin has to be emptied.

In one embodiment, the warning message is displayed on a screen. Theterm “a screen” as used herein relates to a screen mounted on theautomated analyzer. Such screens are well known in the art and maydisplay different types of information relating to the analyzer status.

In one embodiment, a movable lid is attached to the conveyor belt andopens or closes the parking position, depending on the position of theslider.

The present invention also relates to an automated analyzer comprising awaste bin, said waste bin being configured to receive solid waste. Theanalyzer comprises a transport mechanism for transporting the solidwaste to the waste bin. The transport mechanism comprises a slidingmechanism with a slider. The slider is configured to push the solidwaste into the waste bin. The sliding mechanism further comprises at itsend a ramp, wherein said ramp is extendable over and into the waste binand at least partly flexible.

The advantage of such an automated analyzer is that solid waste can bedistributed better in the waste bin. This increases the capacity of thewaste bin. The more solid waste the waste bin can take up, the longer ittakes until it has to be removed and emptied. This significantlyinfluences the walk-away time for the automated analyzer. If theanalyzer is set to run continuously, the walkaway time is governed bythe time it takes to use the unused consumables loaded on the automatedanalyzer, or the time it takes for the waste bin to be full, or the timeuntil reagents are used up. If the automated analyzer is designed totake up a sufficient amount of new, unused consumables and reagents,then, a premature requirement to empty the waste bin due to inefficientfilling of the waste bin can significantly impair the maximum walk-awaytime as originally designed by the capacity to load empty consumablesand reagents. This can be avoided with the automated analyzer accordingto the present invention.

In one specific embodiment, the solid waste container comprises at leastone solid waste bag. A further advantage is that the present inventionreduces the kinetic and potential energy of solid waste which leads to areduced stress of the solid waste bags and, hence, less perforation ofthe solid waste bags occurs. Furthermore, the ramp described hereinguides consumables holding pipette tips, such as tip racks, into thewaste bin which leads to significantly less tips dropping out of thecontainers and, consequently, lower requirements for waste bagsregarding perforation resistance.

In one specific embodiment, the waste bin is located in a waste drawer.The operator can open the waste drawer to add or remove the waste bin.As the ramp of the present invention moves into and out of the waste binin a contactless manner, no additional weight occurs for the wastedrawer. This makes it easier to open and close the waste drawer, andreduces wear of the waste drawer. The term “contactless” as used hereinis understood to mean that the extendable ramp moves into and out of thewaste bin without contacting the waste bin.

In one embodiment, said extendable ramp is configured as a tactilesensor for detecting jammed solid waste along a sliding path.

In one specific embodiment, the automated analyzer additionallycomprises a sensor system functionally coupled to said ramp andconfigured to monitor the level of piled solid waste inside the wastebin.

The extendable ramp is able to detect the level of solid waste morereliably than an optical sensor. This is due to the ramp sliding alongthe dropping zone of the solid waste, hence any piled solid waste willbe detected.

In one embodiment, the sensor system for detecting the level of solidwaste in the waste bin comprises detection of motor current of the rampdrive.

In a specific embodiment, said extendable ramp is configured to movesolid waste present on top of a pile inside the waste bin to anotherlocation inside the waste bin. This leads to a better distribution ofthe solid waste.

As mentioned hereinbefore, it was observed that solid waste can build uppiles in a waste bin. Such buildups are also referred to as jammed solidwaste. The solid waste present on top of the pile can be moved by theextendable ramp. When it is moved, it is moved to another, still emptylocation of the waste bin. This results in a better distribution of thesolid waste in the waste bin. More solid waste can be filled into thewaste bin until the solid waste in the bin reaches the upper end of thewaste bin, and the waste bin has to be removed by the operator andemptied.

In one specific embodiment, the extendable ramp is configured to detectjammed solid waste. In a more specific embodiment, the extendable rampis configured to detect jammed solid waste which cannot be moved to adifferent location within the waste bin. This permits a betterdistribution of the solid waste in the waste bin.

In one embodiment, said solid waste comprises consumables. In a specificembodiment, the consumables comprise at least one of a tip rack, amultiwell plate, a reagent container.

In one embodiment, the automated analyzer comprises a movable lidattached to the conveyor belt and configured to open or close theparking position, depending on the position of the slider.

Further embodiments of the automated analyzer of the present inventionare as described for the method of the present invention.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising an automatedanalyzer as described herein and a computer controller. The computercontroller is configured to push solid waste into the waste bin and tosense if a solid waste is present on top of a pile and to push saidsolid waste into another location of the waste bin. The computercontroller is further configured to issue a warning message to a screenwhen solid waste on top of a pile cannot be moved to a differentlocation within the waste bin. Specific embodiments of the automatedanalyzer or the process controlled by the computer controller are asdescribed for the automated analyzer or the process of the presentinvention.

An exemplary method for removing solid waste from an automated analyzercomprising the method of the present invention is described hereinafter.

Consumables such as multiwell plates, deep well plates, tip racks areheld in the automated analyzer during their use. Once the consumablesare ready to waste, a command is given to initiate a waste procedure forthe foreseen consumable.

A transport system, such as a conveyor or a gripper transports theconsumable to the parking position of the transport mechanism fortransporting said solid waste to a waste bin. A sensor detects thepresence of the consumable and initiates a method for dropping solidwaste into a waste bin. A slider, which is positioned at the side of theconsumable which is opposite of the opening of the transport mechanismtowards the waste bin, and is attached to a conveyor, executes ahorizontal motion towards a defined end position. An extendable andpartly flexible ramp which is coupled to the conveyor at the end of theconveyor proximal to the opening of the transport mechanism movessynchronously to the slider as the consumable is being pushed by theslider along the conveyor. Underneath the end position of the slider, asolid waste bin is located. The partly flexible ramp is sliding along abent curve, allowing the ramp to move over and into the waste binwithout contacting the waste bin. As the consumable is pushed onto theramp, the ramp moves forward and bends, allowing the consumable to glideinto the waste bin.

In case the ramp collides with a randomly formed pile of solid waste, asoftware controlling the movement of the ramp allows detecting andadjusting the force of the ramp to a specific adjusted force. If theramp collides with a movable consumable, the force will remain below theadjusted force and the ramp will continue its movement, therebydisplacing the loose consumable with which it collided. If the rampcollides with a blocked consumable (i.e. when the waste bin is full),the force detected is above the adjusted force. The movement of the rampis aborted as the consumable cannot be displaced. The control unit withthe software controlling the movement of the ramp then registers this asdetection of a blocked pile of solid waste. In this manner, the ramp canact as a tactile senor.

FIG. 1 shows a transport mechanism (1). The transport mechanism (1)comprises a parking position (6). A gripper (10) may load a solid waste(2) in the parking position. Other mechanisms to load a solid waste (2)in a parking position (6) may be envisioned as well, such as, e.g. aconveyor. The conveyor is driven by a motor (15).

The transport mechanism (1) comprises a sliding mechanism (3). Thesliding mechanism (3) comprises a slider (4). The slider (4) is locatedon the distal side, relative to the ramp (5) and the opening (7) of thetransport mechanism (1). From this position, the slider (4) may, then,push the solid waste (2) forward onto the extendable ramp (5). In oneembodiment, the slider is attached to a conveyor belt (8). The ramp (5),in one embodiment, connected to the conveyor belt (8). In oneembodiment, the slider (4) and the extendable ramp (5) are connected tothe conveyor belt (8). An opening (7) is present in the transportmechanism (1) on the side of the transport mechanism (1) proximal to thewaste bin (12). Furthermore, in one embodiment, the transport mechanism(1) comprises a closure or lid (9). The lid is attached to the conveyorbelt. The movement of lid and slider are, thus, synchronized. When theslider moves a solid waste to the bin, the lid moves underneath theparking position. This allows prevention of contamination or preventsaerosol distribution.

Once the solid waste (2) is pushed onto the ramp (5), the ramp (5)extends into the waste bin and allows the solid waste (2) to glide intothe waste bin. This is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, it can also beappreciated that the slider (4) has moved to the opening (7) of thetransport mechanism (1).

FIG. 3A shows a section of a part of an exemplary automated analyzer(11). Waste bin (12) is shown, and a solid waste (2) sitting on anextendable ramp (5) before gliding into the waste bin (12). A waste bag(14) is placed in waste bin (12). In FIG. 3B, solid waste (2) is alreadypresent in the waste bin (12). The extendable ramp (5) is seen in anextended state, extending into the waste bin (12). FIG. 3C shows pilesof solid waste (13 a) and (13 b). The extendable ramp (5) moves until itcollides with pile (13 a). If pile (13 a) is a blocking pile, thecontrol unit controlling the movement of extendable ramp (5) registersthat the extendable ramp (5) cannot move beyond the position of pile (13a).

FIGS. 4A and 4B each show a system (16) comprising an analyzer (11) anda computer controller (17). In FIG. 4A, the computer controller (17) islocated inside the automated analyzer (11). In FIG. 4B, the computercontroller (17) of the system (16) is located outside the automatedanalyzer (11). In one embodiment, the analyzer (11) is as describedherein. As described herein, the computer controller (17) is configuredto push solid waste (2) into the waste bin (12) and to sense if a solidwaste (2) is present on top of a pile (13) and to push said solid waste(2) into another location of the waste bin (12).

The present application is not to be limited in scope by the specificembodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications in additionto those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in theart from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Suchmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of the claims.Various publications are cited herein, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference in their entireties.

1. A method for dropping solid waste into a waste bin in an automatedanalyzer, said method comprising the steps of providing a transportmechanism for transporting said solid waste to said waste bin, saidtransport mechanism comprising a sliding mechanism with a slider, saidslider being configured to push the solid waste into the waste bin, saidsliding mechanism further comprising at its end a ramp, wherein saidramp is extendable over and into the waste bin and wherein the ramp isat least partly made of a flexible material, placing a solid waste intoa parking position associated with said transport mechanism, whereinsaid parking position is located between the slider and an opening ofthe transport mechanism, said opening of the transport mechanism beingin proximity to the waste bin, and pushing said solid waste towards thewaste bin along the extendable ramp with said slider until said solidwaste glides on the extendable ramp into the waste bin.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said extendable ramp is configured as a tactile sensorfor detecting jammed solid waste along the sliding path and said methodfurther comprises detecting jammed solid waste along said sliding path.3. The method of claim 2, wherein said extendable ramp is configured tomove solid waste present on top of a pile inside the waste bin to adifferent location inside the waste bin and said method furthercomprises moving solid waste from the top of said pile to said differentlocation.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said extendable ramp isconfigured to detect jammed solid waste and said method furthercomprises detecting jammed solid waste.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein said automated analyzer comprises a computer controller and ascreen, wherein said computer controller is configured to detect ablockage comprising solid waste on top of a pile in the waste bin thatcannot be moved to a different location within the waste bin and issue awarning message regarding said blockage, and the method furthercomprises detecting the presence or absence of said blockage and issuinga warning message if said blockage is present.
 6. An automated analyzercomprising a waste bin, said waste bin being configured to receive solidwaste, wherein said analyzer comprises a transport mechanism fortransporting said solid waste to said waste bin, said transportmechanism comprising a sliding mechanism with a slider, said sliderbeing configured to push the solid waste into the waste bin, saidsliding mechanism further comprising at its end a ramp, wherein saidramp is extendable over and into the waste bin and wherein the ramp isat least partly made of a flexible material.
 7. The automated analyzerof claim 6, wherein said automated analyzer additionally comprises asensor system functionally coupled to said ramp and configured tomonitor the level of piled solid waste inside the waste bin.
 8. Theautomated analyzer of claim 6, wherein said solid waste comprisesconsumables.
 9. The automated analyzer of claim 8, wherein saidconsumables comprise at least one of a tip rack, a multiwell plate, areagent container, and combinations thereof.
 10. A system comprising anautomated analyzer according to claim 7 and a computer controller,wherein said computer controller is configured to push solid waste intothe waste bin and to sense if a solid waste is present on top of a pileand to push said solid waste into another location of the waste bin,wherein said computer controller is further configured to issue awarning message to a screen when solid waste on top of a pile cannot bemoved to a different location within the waste bin.